Trinity Falls. Regina Hart

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      CHAPTER 2

      A little more than an hour later, Megan opened Books & Bakery, her combination bookstore and café, for business. As soon as the doors opened, two of her regular customers strolled in.

      “Morning, ladies.” Darius Knight greeted Megan and Doreen. The local newspaper reporter slipped onto his usual chair at the bakery counter.

      “Good morning, Megan, Ms. Doreen.” Dr. Quincy Spates followed Darius to the counter. The Trinity Falls University history professor took the seat beside his childhood friend.

      Megan studied the two men on the other side of the counter. They’d been friends with Ean since birth or at least as long as she’d been alive. Tall, fit, intelligent and attractive, they were brothers in every way but by blood.

      Darius’s midnight eyes gleamed with excitement. “Have you heard the news?”

      Doreen served both men a mug of coffee. “If you’re talking about Ean coming home, of course, I have. I’m his mother. And I’ve already told Megan. When did you two find out?”

      Darius added cream and way too much sugar to his coffee. “Ean e-mailed us late last night.” He inclined his head toward Quincy.

      Quincy swallowed half his cup of coffee. “What do you make of his coming home?”

      Megan frowned. Had he also e-mailed Ramona? What was her cousin’s reaction to Ean’s plans?

      Doreen laid a china dish bearing a sizable square of Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownie in front of Quincy. “I think the people of this good town should fear having the three of you together again.”

      “It’s been fourteen years. I’d like to think we’ve matured.” Darius reached toward Quincy’s plate.

      Quincy paused with his cup near his lips. “Touch my brownie and you’ll pull back a stump.”

      “Yes, very mature.” Doreen shook her head.

      Darius dropped his hand. “What do you think, Megan?”

      She thought fourteen years should have been enough time to get over her crush. Then why did her heart race every time she heard Ean’s name?

      Megan brought Darius his own Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownie. “I think you three can be trusted to stay out of trouble this time around.”

      “It may not be the three of us, though. It may only be two.” Darius took a big bite of the brownie.

      “What do you mean?” Megan looked to Quincy. Her eyes grew wide. “Did you apply for the faculty position with the University of Pennsylvania?”

      Quincy used his fork to cut a corner of the brownie. “Yes, but I’m sure they’ll have a huge pool of candidates for the position.”

      Megan grinned. “You’ll make the final round.”

      Quincy shrugged broad shoulders covered in a lightweight black sweater. “I won’t know anything until the fall. I may not even get a phone interview.”

      Megan reached out to squeeze Quincy’s forearm. “They’d be foolish not to hire you.”

      Quincy ran a hand over his clean-shaven brown head. “It’s a big decision, Megan. I’m not sure I’ll take it.”

      Darius snorted. “You’ve been pining after teaching at your alma mater since you got your doctorate.”

      Quincy arched a brow. “No, I haven’t.”

      “You make my ears bleed.” Darius gestured with his brownie. “Your whole family moved to Florida years ago. What’s keeping you here?”

      Megan blinked at the challenge in Darius’s question. Quincy visited his family in Florida several times a year. But something—someone?—always brought him home to Trinity Falls. Was Darius challenging Quincy to admit that?

      “Did you like the university?” Doreen’s question ended the awkward silence.

      Quincy sliced another piece of his pastry. “It’s a great institution. The faculty and staff are committed to the students.”

      “Does the position pay more?” Darius stuffed the last of the brownie into his mouth.

      Quincy shot him a wry look. “Yes.”

      “Then take the job. What’s the problem?” The reporter drained his coffee.